Another frustrating near-miss for Villanova in loss to Maine

RADNOR — You could see the disappointment in John Robertson’s eyes. Andy Talley had the same look of frustration on his face.

For the second straight week, and the third time this season, 18th-ranked Villanova was on the wrong end of a game decided by three points or less.

The latest near miss, a 37-35 loss to No. 11 Maine, dropped the Wildcats two games behind the Black Bears in the race for the Colonial Athletic Conference championship and put a serious crimp in Villanova’s FCS playoff hopes.

At 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the CAA, the Wildcats have to run the table to have any shot at making the playoffs for the second straight year and the fifth time in the last six years.

Towson went 7-4 last year, shared the league title and two of its losses were to FBS teams and were kept out of the playoffs, which has expanded to 24 teams.

“We have to win them all,” Talley said.

As long as Robertson is behind center, the Wildcats have a shot.

The 6-1, 215-pound sophomore had another incredible day. He accounted for 335 yards of Villanova’s 386 total yards and had a hand in all five touchdowns. He carried the ball 22 times for 214 yards and four touchdowns to become the first player in program history to rush for 200 yards in back-to-back game. He also was 13-for-22 passing for 121 yards and one touchdown.

“John did a phenomenal job against them,” Talley said.

On a day when Robertson etched his name in the record book, again, and he and Maine quarterback Marcus Wasilewski both put up video game-type numbers, all Villanova needed to move back into a first place tie in the CAA and enhance in FCS playoff resume was to stop Maine twice in its first eight possessions.

“We have to play better defense,” Talley said. “You put 35 points on the board, you should win the game.”

Defense, or lack thereof, has been an issue for the last three games. The Wildcats have allowed 101 points and 1,490 yards in their last three outings. They’re 1-2 in those three games, all of which have come against ranked opponents.

“We’re facing a lot of really good offensive football teams,” Talley said. “The spread offense, with running quarterbacks, makes playing defense and coaching defense not fun.”

The Wildcats didn’t have much fun Saturday. Maine (7-1, 4-0) scored the first six times it had the ball on seven of its first eight possessions to maintain its lead in the CAA.

As good as Robertson was, Wasilewski was better, a lot better. He accounted for 423 of the 536 yards the Black Bears piled up on offense. The senior completed 28 of 34 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns and ran 20 times for 86 yards and another score.

Wasilewski and the Black Bears were so efficient on offense that they were 13-for-19 on third down conversions and 1-for-1 on fourth-down tries.

“We just tried to keep everything simple as we could and execute our offense in the way we know how and not try to do too much,” Wasilewski said.

After Robertson scored the first of his four touchdowns, Wasilewski and the Black Bears scored the next 20 points to break the game open. Villanova did get within two points twice, and had a chance, albeit a slim one, with 18 seconds left, but that final possession ended in an interception.

“It’s tough,” Robertson said. “Coach (Sam) Venuto (Villanova’s offensive coordinator) said after the game (that) we have to find a way to get those few points back. This league is tough. There’s going to be a lot of close games. We have to go out there at get those few points at the end of the game. That’s what we’re searching for right now.”